Lucas Giolito remains one of the more intriguing names still on the free-agent board, and there’s growing buzz that he could be headed to Atlanta. The Braves, always looking to bolster their rotation depth, have reportedly shown interest in the veteran right-hander-and based on how things are shaping up, he’d be a natural fit.
There’s already some projection out there placing Giolito as the Braves’ No. 4 starter heading into Opening Day. That hypothetical rotation?
Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Giolito, and Hurston Waldrep. With AJ Smith-Shawver expected to open the season on the injured list, there’s a clear need for a steady, experienced presence in the middle of the rotation-and Giolito fits that mold.
Atlanta has been linked to a couple of veteran arms lately, including Giolito and Chris Bassitt. Both would bring the kind of innings-eating reliability that’s especially valuable for a team dealing with a mix of injury questions and young, unproven talent. A deal in the ballpark of two years and $40 million has been floated as a potential landing point for either pitcher, which would be a reasonable investment for a contender looking to solidify its staff.
Giolito’s 2025 season with the Red Sox was quietly one of the better comeback stories in baseball. After missing the entire 2024 campaign recovering from elbow surgery, he returned to make 26 starts for Boston, going 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA across 145 innings. His 1.29 WHIP tells the story of a pitcher who, while not overpowering, found ways to compete-limiting damage, working around traffic, and giving his team a chance to win.
He gave up 131 hits and 17 home runs, walked 56, and struck out 121-solid numbers that reflect a pitcher who may not have fully recaptured his peak velocity but compensated with command and savvy pitch sequencing. The early part of the season wasn’t smooth sailing-there were a few rocky outings-but once he found his rhythm around mid-June, Giolito looked like the dependable mid-rotation starter teams covet.
His resurgence played a key role in Boston’s push toward the postseason. Unfortunately, a late-season elbow flare-up kept him off the playoff roster, though evaluations showed no structural damage-just inflammation that required rest. By mid-October, Giolito had resumed his throwing program and entered the offseason with a clean bill of health.
At 31, Giolito is no longer the flame-throwing top-of-the-rotation arm he once projected to be, but what he brings now is equally valuable-durability, veteran presence, and the ability to go deep into games. For a Braves team with championship aspirations and a rotation that’s talented but top-heavy and injury-prone, Giolito could be the glue guy they need to get through a long season.
He’s not the flashiest name left on the market, but don’t let that fool you-Giolito’s bounce-back in 2025 was real, and for a team like Atlanta, he could be a difference-maker in October just as much as April.